Alex's review: Expert freerider

"Easy float, let me hike, surf and play any terrain. I don't like a powder board to be too flexible, because I want to lay some trenches on the groomers too. When the snow starts falling in the evening, I get happily nervous for the next day."

Full rocker surfing

Arbor Cosa Nostra (tested length: 159cm) is listed as a powder freeride snowboard. And as the Cosa Nostra is a full rocker board it totally is to me. Playful rocker board that is shaped in a way that the amount of rocker progressively becomes less and less to the ends. The result is that the Cosa Nostra performs well in woods where you want maneuverability and even around very bumpy firm slopes it holds well. Main asset for me is the surfy experience. Good effortless floatation provides what a lof of us enjoy best, just surf the bottomless powder. Those snowconditions are not always available so some versatility in a board is nice or you need a lot of specific boards. Even in my powder boards I like some camber usually, but the looks of this one make up for it, at least a bit. A 3 star snowboard for me, cool looks, just a bit too easy for my preference to give a higher rating. New pow explorers or preference for only relaxed surfing, probably rate the Cosa Nostra higher.

Versatility of the Cosa Nostra

Once you leave bottomless powder, the Arbor Cosa Nostra behaves a bit better than you might expect. Already mentioned, the maneuverability is good, very easy to steer. And with the medium flex, the Arbor Cosa Nostra is a forgiving snowboard on firmer snow. Easy to let it ride on the edges, just lacks the power to push it all the way. And without camber of course no rebound acceleration either, something you shouldn't care about if you buy a full rocker board. Bonus of the Cosa Nostra is the dampening, far better than on the Arbor Sin Nombre. All together the Cosa Nostra makes a boarders' life easy and makes that intermediates can pick this one up as well for a comfy ride. Doubting between the Arbor Shreddy Krueger and the Cosa Nostra? Specs are very similar and the price difference is mainly made by the topsheet, stainless steel tip protector and a tip to tail carbon strut, it is up to you.

Arbor about the Cosa Nostra

"The Cosa Nostra is the most versatile, Rocker System gun in the line. Don’t let appearances fool you, the Cosa Nostra will ride very similarly to your standard Rocker System snowboard with added float in powder thanks to a setback stance, reclined rocker profile and elongated nose. This board excels in the trees, through the park, and up into the steeps with remarkable adaptability. The Cosa Nostra dons a classicMaple Power Ply topsheet and performs at the top of its class thanks to a fast and durable sintered base. Stainless steel tip and tail protectors complete the package by adding unmatched durability to this Arbor classic...", says Arbor.